There's a bit more of a 'want one' factor with this second generation GLA thanks in part to the fact that its proportions and stance are more clearly defined than its predecessor. The car measures in at 4,410mm long, 2,020mm wide and 1,611mm high, making it 14mm shorter and 2mm narrower, but 104mm higher than the previous model. Larger wheel arches accommodate rims ranging from 17 to 20-inches.
Inside, as expected, this 'H247'-series GLA switches to the same cabin layout as has featured in all other recent compact Mercedes models, featuring a dashboard with a free-standing digital display panel. With standard models, this gives you two 7.0in screens - one in front of the driver for the instruments and a centre-dash one for the infotainment functions. Pay extra and you can have both these displays uprated to 10.3-inches in size. The monitors are operated via Mercedes' MBUX operating system, which supports both touchpad and voice control. A colour head-up display can also be ordered. To give more of a crossover feel, the front seats are positioned 140mm higher than in the A-Class and there's 22mm more head room up front than in the original GLA.
That previous car was a little cramped in the back: this one's better, thanks to a 30mm longer wheelbase, though a little disappointingly, rear head room has been reduced by 6mm. The addition of an optional sliding rear bench is useful - it can be slid fore and aft by up to 140mm, giving up to 116mm more legroom than before. Plus you can vary the angle of the backrest - which helps with boot space too. That's one reason why the quoted cargo capacity figure has risen by 14-litres to 435-litres.
